After the early exit in the 4×400-meter mixed relay, a dispute broke out over the nomination of the runners. And this had consequences: for Luna Bulmahn, the games were over before they had even begun.
400-meter runner Luna Bulmahn will not be taking part in the Olympic Games in Paris following the discord surrounding the German mixed relay. As the German Athletics Association further announced, starting runner Jean Paul Bredau will, however, compete in the individual 400-meter heats this evening after an apology.
The mixed relay team clearly missed the final on Friday evening, finishing seventh in the preliminary round. The first runner, Bredau, did not show the performance he has recently shown, remained well below his best and said afterwards that it was not due to his form, but to decisions made beforehand. “The DLV clearly stated: The fastest four should run. A different decision was made,” said Bredau indignantly. Bulmahn, who is his partner, was not in the relay team; instead, Alica Schmidt, Manuel Sanders and Eileen Demes also ran.
Bulmahn had written on Instagram that she was the second fastest German 400-meter athlete on paper. The fact that she was not nominated for the mixed relay was not her decision and was not in her hands. Schmidt is a regular member of the relay and also contributed to the Olympic qualification for Paris. Although neither Bredau nor Bulmahn named a name, the criticism is probably aimed at Alica Schmidt, whose annual best is around half a second behind Bulmahn’s. However, it was also Schmidt who qualified for the Olympic Games with the relay in the Bahamas.
Dispute over Olympic relay team line-up: Decision was voted on according to DLV
According to the German association, the decision regarding the line-up of the coaching team was made unanimously. This also includes the home coach of Schmidt, Bulmahn and Bredau. The decision was explained to the athletes.
DLV sports director Jörg Bügner emphasized in the statement that relays are a team sport. “The athletes and coaches form this team. Success depends on good teamwork and mutual trust of everyone,” said Bügner.
The preliminary heats of the 4×400-meter relay will take place on Friday, but without Bulmahn, who said she was due to arrive on Monday. It is still unclear who will run apart from the regular relay members Schmidt, Demes and Skadi Schier.
Source: Stern
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